Read Online Danger in the Wind by Jane Finnis - Free Book Online Page B

you a favour.”
    “Of course, anything.” Clarilla paused as her stately major-domo arrived carrying a tray with a beautiful silver wine-jug and three matching goblets, and a silver dish of tiny round pastries. As he set them out on a small table, her brother Silvanius Clarus appeared from the house. He looked every inch a chief councillor, tall and elegant, immaculate as always in a gleaming white toga, even though this was an ordinary working afternoon. I knew the reason he liked to dress so formally: he was born British but had earned Roman citizenship, and he treasured the right to wear the toga whenever he could.
    He greeted me with his usual mixture of warmth and pomposity. “Aurelia, my dear, it’s a pleasure indeed to see you. I’m so sorry I was not here to greet you. Important meeting, I’m afraid. The price of responsibility…one is honoured to serve, but the work is onerous sometimes.”
    “You do a very valuable job, Clarus. I don’t know what we’d do without you.” And you love it, I added silently. Well, why not? We Romans depend on people like Clarus for the day-to-day governing of this province. He’s devoted to Rome, and he has considerable power in our district, which he uses to bring Roman civilisation to his fellow Britons whenever he can. I don’t begrudge him a little vainglory now and then.
    Clarilla poured wine for us all, and Clarus smiled at me over the rim of his goblet. “It’s good to see you out and about, Aurelia. You’re looking better, if I may say so.”
    Clarilla said, “Isn’t she? And she’s going on holiday. Eburacum, and then Isurium. Is your cousin’s husband with the army?”
    “Yes, he’s an officer at the fort there. I’ve never been to Isurium before, but you two know it well, don’t you?”
    “Quite well,” Clarilla said. “We have a kinsman there, Brennus, and we still keep in touch, though it’s a while since I visited. It’s a quiet little place, no public entertainments of any kind, but it’s very pleasant for a holiday, especially if there’s a party. Clarus, we must give her a note of introduction to Brennus.”
    “Indeed yes. He’s done rather well for himself, I’m glad to say. A citizen now of course, and an important local leader at Isurium. He has a most charming wife too. I’ll write you an introduction. And perhaps you’d also take a personal letter from us to them both?”
    “Of course I will. I’m sure I’ll enjoy meeting them.”
    He frowned slightly. “And if there’s any trouble while you’re there…but then of course you’ll be staying with your cousin and her husband, so you’ll be well protected.”
    “Trouble? I thought Clarilla just said it was quiet.”
    “Certainly it always has been, but lately…I’m sure it’s a storm in a wine-cup, my dear, but there are rumours of—ah—restlessness, discontent even.”
    “I see. So that explains it.”
    “I’m sorry?”
    “Lucius is a bit worried about my making the trip. He seems to think there might be some unrest among the locals there.”
    “Your brother has heard the rumours too, has he? I’m not surprised. In his position he’ll be well informed. The main problem, it seems to me, arises from this silly fashion for idolising Prince Venutius. Some say it is just the young people being overexuberant, but I consider it dangerous.”
    “I’ve heard a little about this young Venutius. Couldn’t he be just another headstrong would-be warrior with too much ambition? Making a great deal of noise, but not a real threat to Rome.”
    “That’s what I keep hoping. But Brennus is quite concerned about it. You see…I know I can trust your discretion, Aurelia, and this isn’t public knowledge yet. The governor plans to make Isurium some kind of administrative centre for the Brigantes, with its own town council to run day-to-day affairs. As ours does in Oak Bridges.”
    “Our council here is a good example of how well that can work.”
    He beamed at the